The Empire Strikes Door (2019) User Reviews

Insignificant occurrence is the subject of an entertaining documentary

[davidvmcgillivray-24-905811 · 8/10 · 29 February 2020]

Probably everyone reading this is aware that the original "Star Wars" film includes a scene in which a marching stormtrooper accidentally hits his helmeted head on a door frame. The incident gained more cult success after at least three extras claimed to be the culprit. Online presenter Jamie Stangroom became obsessed with it and spent three years investigating with all the integrity of a forensic scientist. He tried to talk to everyone who was on the Elstree set in 1977 and succeeded in talking to quite a few big names - Benicio del Toro!, John Boyega!, Noel Gallagher!? - who most certainly weren't. He includes a polygraph expert, the designer of the stormtrooper helmet (it was impossible to see through the visor), a "jury" (more online celebs), and none other than "Star Wars" producer Gary Kurtz. But Stangroom's piece de resistance is the participation of two of the head-banging claimants. (The third - "EastEnders" milkman Michael Leader - didn't want to talk and then died 2016). Rather bravely (considering the fact that someone has to be lying), Martin Read and Laurie Goode submitted to the polygraph test. One of them romps home with a score of 99.21%. Stangroom manages to be authoritative and tongue-in-cheek about the whole silly business and the chances are high he'll make you laugh at it. The film premiered on YouTube last year and is still there. It's worth a look, despite the ad breaks every five minutes.